Celiac Disease Program

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where eating gluten triggers damage to the small intestine, which affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients properly.

Symptoms of celiac disease can include stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, slow growth, delayed puberty, and rarely rashes and joint pain. Some children may have no obvious symptoms.

Doctors usually test for celiac disease with a blood test to check for specific antibodies, followed by a biopsy of the small intestine to confirm the diagnosis.

Yes, celiac disease is hereditary, meaning it can run in families. Children who have a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with celiac disease have a 5-10% chance of developing the disease. So it’s important to be tested if you have a relative who has been diagnosed with celiac disease. Additionally, celiac disease is more common in people diagnosed with some autoimmune diseases (Type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease), and chromosomal disorders (Down syndrome, and Turner syndrome). 

Referring providers have three options to make a referral to Connecticut Children’s Gastroenterology:

• Online: EpicCare Link or the online specialty referral form
• Phone: Dial the OneCall Physician Access Line at 1.833.PEDS.NOW (1.833.733.7669)
• Fax: Send the specialty referral form to the OneCall Physician Access Line at 860.837.9898 or 860.545.9502

No, you should not remove gluten from your child’s diet before testing. For accurate results, it’s important that your child continues to consume gluten until all tests are completed.

During the first appointment, the specialist will review your child’s medical history, discuss symptoms, and perform a physical exam. They may also recommend blood tests to check for antibodies related to celiac disease and possibly discuss the next steps for further testing, such as an upper endoscopy.

If you are running late or need to reschedule your appointment, it’s important to contact the office as soon as possible. If you're late, we may need to adjust the time of your visit or reschedule to ensure all patients receive the care they need. 

Yes, your child can continue with their regular activities unless advised otherwise by the doctor.

The good news is celiac disease is manageable. Patients need to follow a gluten-free diet to reduce their intestinal inflammation. Our registered dietitians will educate and guide your family through the process of transitioning to a gluten-free lifestyle, helping with meal planning, safe food choices, and ensuring your child’s nutritional needs are met. Additionally, your gastroenterologist will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the patient’s health.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder while gluten intolerance is a sensitivity. People who test negative for celiac disease but experience adverse reactions when eating gluten may be diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (the medical term for gluten intolerance). Reducing gluten intake may help people who have gluten intolerance, but they do not need to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. 

• GI Kids: Gluten Free Diet
• Ask Dr. Smarty: The ABC's of Gluten Free
• Celiac Disease Foundation: What You Need to Know
• Beyond Celiac Videos 

• Beyond Celiac
• National Celiac Association
• Gluten Intolerance Group
• GiKids
• Gluten Free Watchdog
• Celiac Disease Foundation

Did you know some medications include gluten? It's not common, but drug manufacturers aren't required to list gluten on their labels. Beyond Celiac and Gluten-Free Drugs offer helpful resources to identify if a medication you have been prescribed may include gluten. 

• Celiac.com
• Wicked Gluten Free
• National Celiac Association
• Raising Our Celiac Kids
• GIG Cares
   

• The Gluten Free Scanner: iOS | Android
• Find Me Gluten Free: iOS | Android
• Eat! Gluten-Free: iOS | Android